Pet exercise and entertainment device

ABSTRACT

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of prior to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/606,835, entitled “Pet Controlled Exercise andEntertainment Device” and filed on Mar. 5, 2012, specificallyincorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses or teaches.

BACKGROUND

Pets need exercise to ensure they are physically and mentally healthy.The amount of exercise needed depends on the species, breed, age, andhealth of the pet. However, most pets generally need exercise daily.Pets may receive the exercise they need through various activities,including walking, running, and playing. Many of these activitiesrequire human involvement and interaction to occur. For example, “fetch”is a popular activity for exercising a dog, which involves a humanthrowing a ball for the dog to retrieve and/or catch and return to thehuman. However, a human is often not available or not willing toparticipate in activities to ensure that a pet receives the exerciseand/or entertainment it needs.

Some pet exercise devices launch projectiles for a pet to catch and/orretrieve. However, many of these devices require a human to load thedevice with projectiles to initiate the exercise activity and again oncethe device launches all the projectiles that were loaded into thedevice. Further, many of these devices continually launch projectilesuntil the device launches all the loaded projectiles or the device isswitched off. With such devices, a pet may lose interest in the activitybefore the device launches all the loaded projectiles, resulting in anunnecessary depletion of the device's power as well as a mess ofunretrieved projectiles in the exercise area. Additionally, with suchdevices, the timing of the launches is not tailored to the individualpet engaging in the activity, which may result in the pet being hit by aprojectile or a pet not being able to keep up with the pace of thelaunches. Further, many of these devices can be tipped over by the petsuch that the device does not function properly.

It is with these observations in mind, among others, that variousaspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.

SUMMARY

Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoingproblems by providing system, apparatus, and method for exercising andentertaining one or more pets. In one implementation, a pet exercise andentertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectilesfor a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. Thefeeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport theprojectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured tosense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command oneor more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. Anactuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end ofthe chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined timehas elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, areconfigured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from areading of the following detailed description. Other implementations arealso described and recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example implementations are illustrated in referenced figures of thedrawings. It is intended that the implementations and figures disclosedherein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example pet exercise and entertainment device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an example pet exerciseand entertainment device.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an example pet exercise and entertainmentdevice.

FIG. 4 illustrates example operations for providing exercise andentertainment for one or more pets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure involve pet exercise and entertainmentand associated systems, apparatuses, and methodologies to provide petcontrolled exercise and entertainment. In one particular aspect, a petexercise and entertainment device is configured to launch projectiles,including without limitation, balls of various sizes and types, disks,toys, food, treats, and other objects. The exercise and entertainmentdevice includes a housing having a substantially flat base, asubstantially round shell, a receiving portion configured to receiveprojectiles, and a launching portion configured to launch projectiles.The housing has generally smooth surfaces, which combined with theoverall shape of the housing prevents a pet from easily tipping theexercise and entertainment device over. The exercise and entertainmentdevice further includes a feeder for transporting projectiles from thereceiving portion to an intake end of a chute. Either a pet or an ownermay place one or more projecticles into the feeder.

Once a projectile is in the intake end of the chute, a switch senses theprojectile, thereby commanding one or more motors to power up andtriggering release operations. During the release operations, theprojectile is held in the intake end of the chute for a pre-determinedtime, for example, for the motors to power up. After the pre-determinedtime has elapsed, the release operations command an actuator to releasethe projectile from the intake end of the chute into a launch end of thechute. The launch end of the chute includes one or more wheels, rotatedby the motors, to launch the projectile out of the launching portion ofthe housing for one or more pets to catch and/or retrieve. Afterlaunching the projectile, the motors are commanded to power down.

Starting the motors after the switch senses a projectile in the intakeend of the chute and stopping the motors after launching the projectileoptimizes the power source of the exercise and entertainment device.Further, the timing of the launches may be tailored to the individualpet engaging in the activity. For example, the pet may control if andwhen the exercise and entertainment device launches a projectile bychoosing when to drop a projectile to the receiving portion for eachlaunch. Allowing the pet to control if and when the exercise andentertainment device launches a projectile reduces human involvement inthe activity. Specifically, a human is not needed to load the exerciseand entertainment device with projectiles to initiate and continue theexercise activity. After a human turns on the exercise and entertainmentdevice, the pet may control the exercise activity substantially withouthuman involvement.

It will be appreciated that the exercise and entertainment device may beused by or with one or more pets and/or one or more humans. Stateddifferently, one or more pets may use the exercise and entertainmentdevice with or without human involvement. For example, after theexercise and entertainment device is turned on, the pet may place one ormore projectiles into the feeder, retrieve a projectile after launch,and place another projectile into the feeder, as needed. Conversely, ahuman may place one or more projectiles into the feeder for the pet toretrieve and return to the human or the feeder. Finally, the exerciseand entertainment device may include features to assist in the trainingof a pet to use the exercise and entertainment device, as discussedherein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example pet controlled exercise and entertainmentdevice 100. The exercise and entertainment device 100 is configured tolaunch projectiles, including without limitation, balls of various sizesand types, disks, toys, food, and other objects, for a pet to catchand/or retrieve. For example, the projectile may be a miniature tennisball approximately 40 mm in size.

In one implementation, the exercise and entertainment device 100includes a housing, which protects the interior components of theexercise and entertainment device 100. The housing may have generallysmooth surfaces, which prevent a pet from becoming tangled on theexercise and entertainment device 100 or from easily tipping theexercise and entertainment device 100 over. However, other surfacetextures, irregularities, and/or projections are contemplated. Further,the housing may have a decorative finish including colors, patterns,designs, and/or logos. In one implementation, the housing includes abase 102, a shell 104, a receiving portion 106, and a launching portion108.

The base 102 is substantially flat to allow for placement of theexercise and entertainment device 100 on an indoor or outdoor surfacefor use. In one implementation, the base 102 is removably coupled to theshell 104 to provide access to the interior of the exercise andentertainment device 100.

The shell 104 covers the internal components of the exercise andentertainment device 100. In one implementation, the shell 104 issubstantially rounded. However, other shapes, including, but not limitedto, rectangular, conical, triangular, elliptical, hexagonal,hemispherical, hemiellipsoidal, cubical, pyramidal, and cylindrical, arecontemplated. In one implementation, the shell 104 is coupled to thereceiving portion 106 and the launching portion 108.

The receiving portion 106 is configured to receive projectiles into theinterior of the exercise and entertainment device 100 for launching. Inone implementation, the receiving portion 106 protrudes from the shell104 at an angle to form a generally conical shape. The receiving portion106 includes a lower side 110, disposed proximate to the base 102, andan upper side 112, disposed distal to the base 102. In oneimplementation, the lower side 110 extends further from the shell 104than the upper side 112, permitting smaller pets to access to thereceiving portion 106 and preventing projectiles from falling out of thereceiving portion 106. Further, the receiving portion 106 may include alip 114 extending towards the general center of the receiving portion106 to prevent projectiles from bouncing out.

The launching portion 108 is configured to launch projectiles from theexercise and entertainment device 100. In one implementation, thelaunching portion 108 protrudes from the shell 104 to form a generallycylindrical shape. The launching portion 108 is disposed away from thereceiving portion 106. For example, the launching portion 108 may bedisposed on the opposite side of the shell 104 as the receiving portion106, which ensures that the pet will not be hit with a projectile whiledropping a projectile into the receiving portion 106. The location ofthe receiving portion 106 forces the pet to go to the rear of theexercise and entertainment device 100, so the pet will likely not be hitwith the projectile when the exercise and entertainment device 100launches the projectile.

The housing may further include one or more features to assist in thetraining of a pet to use the exercise and entertainment device 100. Forexample, the housing may include a ledge, platform, drawer, or othercompartment to hold treats for use in rewarding the pet during training.Such features may be fixed or removable and may be disposed inside oroutside of the housing.

In one implementation, the exercise and entertainment device 100 furtherincludes a power switch 116 for providing electrical power to theexercise and entertainment device 100. The exercise and entertainmentdevice 100 may be powered by various power sources, including but notlimited to, batteries, an AC power outlet, and/or solar power. In oneimplementation, the exercise and entertainment device 100 is powered byone or more batteries disposed along the base 102 in the shell 104. Theweight of the batteries stabilizes the exercise and entertainment device100 and prevents a pet from easily tipping the exercise andentertainment device 100 over.

In an example implementation, a pet drops a ball 118 into the receivingportion 106, from which the ball 118 is transported interior of thehousing. The exercise and entertainment device 100 senses the ball 118,and in response, the exercise and entertainment device 100 powers up forlaunch. The exercise and entertainment device 100 holds the ball 118 inthe interior of the housing until a pre-determined time has elapsed. Inone implementation, the pre-determined time corresponds to the amount oftime it takes for the exercise and entertainment device 100 to power upafter the exercise and entertainment device 100 senses the ball 118. Forexample, the motors may take up to 4 seconds to power up after the ball118 is sensed. In another implementation, a human manually sets thepre-determined time. In still another implementation, the pre-determinedtime is updated to adapt to the intervals at which the pet drops theball 118 into the receiving portion 106. Finally, in yet anotherimplementation, the pre-determined time represents the amount of time ittakes an average pet to move to a retrieving position (e.g., the pet isready to retrieve a projectile) after the pet drops the ball 118 intothe receiving portion 106. The pre-determined time further preventsmultiple projectiles from launching at once in the event that a petdrops multiple projectiles into the receiving portion 106 together.After the pre-determined time has elapsed, the exercise andentertainment device 100 launches the ball 118 through the launchingportion 108. After launching the ball 118, the exercise andentertainment device 100 powers down. Powering up after sensing the ball118 in the exercise and entertainment device 100 and powering down afterlaunching the ball 118 optimizes the power source of the exercise andentertainment device 100. In one implementation, when the exercise andentertainment device 100 is not launching the ball 118, the power to themotors is off and the interior electrical components are in a low-powerlistening mode to conserve power. The pet retrieves the ball 118, and ifthe pet wants to continue the exercise activity, the pet brings the ball118 or another projectile to the receiving portion 106 for launch.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an example petcontrolled exercise and entertainment device 200. The exercise andentertainment device 200 is configured to launch projectiles. In oneimplementation, the exercise and entertainment device 200 includes ahousing for protecting the interior components of the exercise andentertainment device 200. The housing may be made from a thermoplasticpolymer, such as polycarbonate. However, other materials, including butnot limited to metal, wood, ceramics, rubber, foam, and other injectionmolded plastics are contemplated.

In one implementation, the housing includes a base 202, a shell 204, areceiving portion 206, and a launching portion 208. The base 202 issubstantially flat to allow for placement of the exercise andentertainment device 200 on an indoor or outdoor surface for use. Theshell 204 covers the internal components of the exercise andentertainment device 200. The receiving portion 206 and the launchingportion 208 provide support for a launch funnel, which is configured toreceive and launch projectiles. The launch funnel includes a feeder 210and a chute 212. The launch funnel may be made from a thermoplasticpolymer, such as polycarbonate. However, other materials, including butnot limited to metal, wood, ceramics, rubber, foam, and other injectionmolded plastics are contemplated.

In one implementation, the receiving portion 206 protrudes from theshell 204 at an angle to form a generally conical shape. The receivingportion 206 provides support for the feeder 210, which has a smallerdiameter relative to the receiving portion 206. A pet drops a projectileinto the feeder 210, and the feeder 210 uses gravity to transport theprojectile into the chute 212. The chute 212 may have, for example, adiameter of approximately 44 mm. In one implementation, the receivingportion 206 includes a lip 214, extending towards the center of thereceiving portion 206 partially over the feeder 210, to preventprojectiles from bouncing out of the feeder 210.

The chute 212 includes an intake end 216 and a launching end 218. In oneimplementation, the intake end 216 receives a projectile from the feeder210. A switch 220 (e.g., a momentary switch, optical switch, or othersensing mechanism) senses the projectile in the intake end 216, therebycommanding one or more motors 222 to power up. Due to the view, FIG. 2illustrates one motor, but there may be an additional motor, forexample, disposed opposite the shown motor. In one implementation, themotors 222 are configured such that they generate little noise, so theexercise and entertainment device 200 is not frightening to the pet ordisruptive. For example, to reduce noise and vibrations, the motors 222may be mounted in isolation, such as on elastomeric grommets or in anelastomeric sleeve, and one or more wheels 226 may be mounted on theshafts of the motors 222 on one side and supported by braces on theother side.

Further, after sensing the projectile, the switch 220 initiates releaseoperations, which hold the projectile in the intake end 216 for apre-determined time. In one implementation, the pre-determined timecorresponds to the amount of time it takes for the motors 222 to powerup, which may correspond to the time it takes the one or more wheels 226to spool up to a designated RPM throw speed. The designated RPM throwspeed is based on, for example, the time the wheels 226 take tospool-up, the weight of the wheels 226, and the desired distance forlaunching the projectile. For example, the motors may take approximatelyup to 4 seconds to power up. In yet another implementation, a humanmanually sets the pre-determined time. In still another implementation,the pre-determined time is updated each launch to adapt to the intervalsat which the switch 220 senses a new projectile is received. Thepre-determined time prevents multiple projectiles from launching at oncein the event that a pet drops multiple projectiles into the feeder 210together. Further, the switch 220 may be a multi-position input switchthat is configured to control multiple speeds of the motors 222 andlaunch distances of the projectiles. Stated differently, the switch 220may control and dynamically change the launch distance of theprojectiles by changing the speed of the motors 222.

After the pre-determined time has elapsed, the release operationscommand an actuator 224 to release the projectile from the intake end216. In one implementation, the actuator 224 is a linear solenoidactuator, configured to transform the command from an electrical signalinto a pull motion on an armature to release the projectile from theintake end 216.

After release, gravity pulls the projectile from the intake end 216along the length of the chute 212 to the launching end 218. In oneimplementation, the chute 212 curves from the intake end 216 to thelaunching end 218, such that the projectile is launched from theexercise and entertainment device 200 at an arc, allowing the pet toretrieve the projectile. For example, a projectile may drop in the chute212 approximately 91 mm before reaching the curved portion of the chute212, and subsequent to the one or more wheels 226 engaging theprojectile, the projectile is transported in the chute 212 approximately80 mm before the projectile is launched. In one implementation, theexercise and entertainment device 200 launches the projectile at anangle that creates lift for the projectile in an indoor environment suchthat the projectile travels approximately 20 feet along a low, gentlearc. For example, the exercise and entertainment device 200 may launchthe projectile at an angle of approximately 22 degrees, relative to theplane upon which the exercise and entertainment device 200 sits. The oneor more wheels 226 partially protrude into the launch end 218 and arerotated by the one or more motors 222. Again, due to the view, FIG. 2illustrates one wheel, but there may be an additional wheel, forexample, disposed opposite the shown wheel. In one implementation, thewheels 226 are made from a robust material, including, withoutlimitation, rubber, plastic, and foam. The wheels 226 may beapproximately 66 mm in diameter. In one implementation, the wheels 226are spaced from each other, such that the wheels 226 compress theprojectile slightly to grip the projectile for launching. For example,the wheels 226 may be spaced approximately 100 mm from the center of oneof the wheels 226 to the center of the other. The rotation of the wheels226 launches the projectile from the launch end 218 out the launchingportion 208 for the pet to catch and/or retrieve. In one implementation,the motors 222 rotate the wheels 226 at approximately 4,900 to 14,000RPM, which launches a projectile approximately 20 feet. After theprojectile is launched, the switch 220 causes the motors 222 to powerdown.

The exercise and entertainment device 200 may be powered by variouspower sources, including but not limited to, one or more batteries, anAC power outlet, solar power, and/or other power source. In oneimplementation, the exercise and entertainment device 200 is powered bysix 1.5 V C cell batteries 228 disposed along the base 202 in the shell204. Due to the view, FIG. 2 illustrates three batteries, but there maybe three additional batteries, for example, disposed opposite the shownbatteries. The weight of the batteries 226 stabilizes the exercise andentertainment device 200 and prevents a pet from easily tipping theexercise and entertainment device 200 over. In one implementation, thebase 202 is removably coupled to the shell 204 to provide access to theinterior of the exercise and entertainment device 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an example pet controlled exercise andentertainment device 300. The exercise and entertainment device 300 isconfigured to launch projectiles. In one implementation, the exerciseand entertainment device 300 includes a housing, which protects theinterior components of the exercise and entertainment device 300. Thehousing may have generally smooth surfaces. However, other surfacetextures, irregularities, and/or projections are contemplated. Further,the housing may have a decorative finish including colors, patterns,designs, and/or logos. In one implementation, the housing includes ashell 302, a receiving portion 304, and a launching portion 312.

The shell 302 covers the internal components of the exercise andentertainment device 300. In one implementation, the shell 302 issubstantially round. However, other shapes, including, but not limitedto, rectangular, conical, triangular, elliptical, hexagonal,hemispherical, hemiellipsoidal, cubical, pyramidal, and cylindrical, arecontemplated.

The receiving portion 304 is configured to receive projectiles into theinterior of the exercise and entertainment device 300 for launching, andthe launching portion 312 is configured to launch projectiles from theexercise and entertainment device 300. In one implementation, thelaunching portion 312 protrudes from the shell 302 to form a generallycylindrical shape, and the receiving portion 304 protrudes from theshell 302 at an angle to form a generally conical shape.

The receiving portion 304 is positioned relative to the launchingportion 312. In one implementation, the launching portion 312 isdisposed away from the receiving portion 304. For example, the launchingportion 312 may be disposed on the opposite side of the shell 302 as thereceiving portion 304, which ensures that the pet will not be hit with aprojectile while dropping a projectile into the receiving portion 304.In another implementation, the receiving portion 304 is disposed on anupper side of the shell 302, distal to a base of the housing (notshown), and the launching portion 312 is disposed on a lower side of theshell 302, proximal to the base.

The receiving portion 304 and the launching portion 312 provide supportfor a launch funnel, which is configured to receive and launchprojectiles. The launch funnel includes a feeder 308 and a chute. Thechute includes an intake end 310 and a launch end 314.

The receiving portion 304 provides support for the feeder 308, which hasa smaller diameter relative to the receiving portion 304. A pet drops aprojectile into the feeder 308, and the feeder 308 uses gravity totransport the projectile into the intake end 310. In one implementation,the receiving portion 304 includes a lip 306, extending towards thecenter of the receiving portion 304 partially over the feeder 308, toprevent projectiles from bouncing out of the feeder 308.

The launching portion 312 provides support for the launching end 314.After receiving the projectile from the feeder 308, the intake end 310releases the projectile into the launching end 314, which launches theprojectile for the pet to catch and/or retrieve.

FIG. 4 illustrates example operations 400 for providing pet controlledexercise and entertainment. A receiving operation 402 receives one ormore projectiles into a feeder in an exercise and entertainment devicefrom one or more pets or a humans. In one implementation, the feeder issupported by a receiving end of a housing. In another implementation, alaunch funnel includes the feeder and a chute.

A transporting operation 404 transports the projectile from the feederinto the interior of the exercise and entertainment device. In oneimplementation, the feeder uses gravity to transport the projectile fromthe feeder into an intake end of the chute. In another implementation,the projectile is mechanically transported to the interior of theexercise and entertainment device from the feeder.

A sensing operation 406 senses the projectile in the intake end of thechute. In one implementation, the sensing operation 406 senses theprojectile using a switch, such as a momentary switch. However, othersensing devices are contemplated.

A responding operation 408 powers up one or more motors in response tothe sensing operation 406. In one implementation, the respondingoperation 408 receives a command from the switch to power up the one ormore motors, and the responding operation 408 powers up the one or moremotors in preparation of launch.

A releasing operation 410 releases the projectile from the intake end ofthe chute into a launch end of the chute. The releasing operation 410releases the projectile in response to the sensing operation 406. In oneimplementation, the releasing operation 410 releases the projectileafter a pre-determined time has elapsed since the sensing operation 406.In another implementation, the releasing operation 410 commands anactuator to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute.However, other releasing mechanisms are contemplated. In oneimplementation, the releasing operation 410 uses gravity to pull theprojectile from the intake end of the chute to the launch end of thechute. In another implementation, the releasing operation 410mechanically transports the projectile from the intake end of the chuteto the launching end of the chute.

A launching operation 412 launches the projectile from the exercise andentertainment device for the pet to retrieve. In one implementation, thelaunching operation 412 launches the projectile from the launching endof the chute. In another implementation, the launch end of the chute issupported by a launching portion of the housing. After the pet catchesand/or retrieves the projectile, the pet may return the projectile oranother projectile to the exercise and entertainment device, therebyrepeating the operations 400.

After the launching operation 412, a powering down operation 414 powersdown the motors until another projectile is sensed in the sensingoperation 406. The powering down operation 414 optimizes the powersource of the exercise and entertainment device. In one implementation,the powering down operation 414 comprises turning off or reducing thepower to the motors and setting the interior electrical components in alow-power listening mode to conserve power.

In the present disclosure, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are instances of exampleapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearrangedwhile remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context of particularimplementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocksdifferently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described withdifferent terminology. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosureas defined in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a projectile intoa receiving portion of a housing, the receiving portion including afirst side and a second side protruding from a shell of the housing;transporting the projectile into an interior of the shell; and launchingthe projectile from the interior of the shell through a launchingportion of the housing, the launching portion protruding from the shellin a direction away from the receiving portion.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the projectile is received into the receiving portion from apet.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first side extends furtherthan the second side from the shell.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe first side is disposed proximate to a base of the housing and thesecond side is disposed distal to the base.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving portion includes a lip extending towards thegeneral center of the receiving portion.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving portion has a generally conical shape.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the direction the launching portion protrudesis generally opposite the receiving portion.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the launching portion has a generally cylindrical shape.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the shell is substantially round.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the housing has generally smooth surfaces.11. A method comprising: receiving a projectile into a feeder;transporting the projectile from the feeder into an intake end of achute; sensing the projectile in the intake end of the chute; poweringup one or more motors in response to sensing the projectile in theintake end of the chute; releasing the projectile from the intake end ofthe chute into a launching end of the chute after a pre-determined timehas elapsed; and launching the projectile from a launching portion ofthe housing for the pet to retrieve.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: powering down the one or more motors in response tolaunching the projectile.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thepre-determined time corresponds to an amount of time it takes for theone or more motors to power up.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein theprojectile is sensed in the intake end of the chute using a switch. 15.The method of claim 11, wherein the projectile is transported from thefeeder to the intake end of the chute using gravity.
 16. A pet exerciseand entertainment device comprising: a launch funnel for launchingprojectiles for a pet to retrieve, the launch funnel having a feeder anda chute, the feeder configured to receive a projectile and transport theprojectile to an intake end of the chute; a sensor configured to sensethe projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or moremotors to power up in response to sensing the projectile; an actuatorconfigured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chuteinto the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time haselapsed; and one or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors,configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.17. The pet exercise and entertainment device of claim 16, wherein thepre-determined time corresponds to an amount of time it takes for theone or more motors to power up.
 18. The pet exercise and entertainmentdevice of claim 16, wherein the sensor is configured to control thespeed of the one or more motors to set a launch distance of theprojectile.
 19. The pet exercise and entertainment device of claim 16,further comprising: a housing having a receiving portion and a launchingportion.
 20. The pet exercise and entertainment device of claim 19,wherein the feeder of the launch funnel is supported by the receivingportion of the housing and the chute of the launch funnel is supportedby the launching portion of the housing.